Smotrich Responds to Rabbi Landau, Advocates for Haredi Draft Law
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that a Haredi draft law, if passed two years ago, would have brought thousands into the IDF. He explained his silence towards Rabbi Dov Landau as respect for a Torah scholar, though he prays for Landau's "repentance." Smotrich believes failing to pass the draft law was a mistake and that his party's positions are clear. He also mentioned government efforts to promote Haredi conscription.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich believes a Haredi draft law would have brought thousands into the IDF.
- Smotrich explained his silence towards Rabbi Dov Landau as respect, praying for his "repentance."
- Smotrich stated his party's positions on Haredi conscription are clear and unwavering.
- He called the failure to pass a Haredi draft law two years ago a mistake.
- Smotrich noted government efforts to promote Haredi conscription.
- He prayed to God to bring Rabbi Dov Landau back to repentance.
Minister of Finance and Religious Zionism party chairman Bezalel Smotrich addressed the contentious issue of Haredi conscription during a Channel 7 meeting, stating that a previously proposed draft law, if passed two years ago, would have brought thousands of Haredim into the IDF. He also responded to criticism regarding his silence towards Rabbi Dov Landau, a prominent Haredi leader.
Smotrich explained that his lack of public response to Rabbi Landau was not an endorsement of his views but a desire to avoid a public confrontation with a Torah scholar. "Lest there be, God forbid, silence as consent, because 'beware of their embers.' If I thought responding would be beneficial, I do not respond to a Torah scholar," Smotrich stated. He added, "It pains me, and I pray to God that He will bring him back to repentance too, but there is no need to respond."
He emphasized that his positions on these matters are clear and unwavering despite criticism from Haredi leadership. "Our stance is known, our worldview is clear. It is clear to me that the Torah of Religious Zionism, which connects Torah and life, sword and pen, is the truth, and that is what we are promoting," he said.
Regarding the Haredi draft, Smotrich asserted that the failure to advance the draft law about two years ago was a mistake. He believes its approval would have led to a significant increase in conscription and the Haredi leadership's legitimization of the draft. "Take the issue of Haredi conscription. I think we should have passed the law that was on the table," he said. "If we had passed it two years ago, there would already be thousands of Haredim in the army, there would have been legitimization from the Haredi leadership for conscription, and on top of that, a complete national government program for Haredi conscription." Smotrich also noted that the government has already taken significant steps to advance the issue.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Right 1Haredi 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
